Zoologist Moth (Tomoo Inaba)~ New Fragrance Review+ Towards the Flame Draw

Giant Silk Moth by Tamara Phillips©

Have sympathy for the maligned moth, possessed of extraordinary olfactory acuity upon which its very existence is predicated. Be they drably minuscule or immense and brilliantly-hued, moths navigate their quest towards procreation and foraging guided by their spectacular olfactory receptors. The male silkmoth is champion of the insect world in this respect; the aroma of the beloved actually changes his gait, giving him the appearance of being lovedrunk on her pheromones…

Tomoo Inaba and Victor Wong via Facebook

How many of us can make that claim? Victor Wong’s Zoologistperfumer of choice here is Tomoo Inaba, a tender young, passionate Japanese perfumer who created Nightingale for the Zoologist perfumed anthology. I have not yet met Tomoo – but there is something which radiates from photographs of him which moves me profoundly. Sensitivity, soulfulness, aesthetics rooted in something deeper? I don’t know; I only feel it. And through his perfume Moth, you may sense it as well.

Michael Thomas Saatchi art©

To my nose, Zoologist Moth is a perfume which improves over time as it is worn. It’s perfectly delightful at the onset, flushed with the glow of myriad spices seasoned with saffroned lemon. Its heart notes resemble a Victorian love letter, awash with sweetness initiated by heliotrope, jasmine, mimosa and muguet and segued by resins and honey. What may appear as aromatic overkill at first glance serves its nectarous purpose gallantly: simmering spice and abundant florals are essential in balancing that benevolent flame to which our moth is so poignantly drawn. 

Moth Mask by Deborah Klein ©

And it is benevolent – comprised of sacred woods, vetiver’s balsamic tranquility, the murmur of the ancient mint (patchouli), time-honored musk and a magician’s puff of sleight-of-hand smoke. As Icarus was driven too near the sun by his own desire, so may the moth find its demise seeking the alluring flame to which it is fatally attracted. I don’t perceive this as morbid, and it doesn’t smell of death; Moth echoes the seductive nature of the afterlife, that connection to the Eternal.  

Ad image of Zoologist Moth via Zoologist Perfumes

Hours after it has been applied, Zoologist Moth continues to whisper a dulcetly dusty plaintiveness which speaks volumes. A beautiful voice which has not spoken in a long time in a room long overlooked down the disused corridor. It haunts us tenderly as keeper of the benevolent flame. 

Notes: black pepper, cinnamon, clove,cumin, lemon, nutmeg, saffron, heliotrope, irisjasminemimosa, muguet, roseambergrishoney,resins, guaiacwoodmusk, nagarmotha, oudpatchouli, smoke, vetiver

Sample kindly provided by Victor Wong of Zoologist Perfumes. My nose is my own…

Ida Meister, Senior Editor

~Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to the generosity of Zoologist Perfumes, we have a 11ml travel spray of Zoologist Moth Extrait de Parfum to give away to one registered reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Zoologist Moth based on Ida’s review, where you live, and if you have a favorite Zoologist Perfume.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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39 comments

  • Very nice review, those notes in Moth are very appealing. I would love to win and test this juice. Until now Civet and Camel are my favourites from the Zoologist line. Thanks for the draw, i live in the EU.

  • What appeals most to me is that I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SMELL ANYTHING FROM ZOOLOGIST and I AM DYING TO! Serioulsy, living in Iowa, it is hard to try a lot of fragrances. Thank you for the opportunity! I have liked and followed on Facebook and Instagram as well.

  • Such a lovey review. I have to try a fragrance that includes notes of heliotrope, mimosa, resins, and honey. So far, my favorite Zoologist fragrances are Civet and Dragonfly, fitting two very different moods. I live in California.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    I have tried most of the Zoologist lineup so far, and I own and absolutely adore Dragonfly. I find that it, too, improves and blooms over time. Hoping Moth is similar in that aspect. The spice combo top has my attention and I’m excited to give this one a try. I live in the US and thank you for the draw.

  • With all those luscious notes, I feel as though I am the moth attracted to this fragrance. Luck to all, I’m in the USA.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    I like that it sounds like it has a classic feel to it; the flowers of a perfumed letter. Comparing the patchouli with mint also sounds great, which reminds me of Ungaro III. I’ve only tried a few samples from this house. I think my fav was Beaver.
    Im in the US

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    I love how this sounds both subtle and persistent–two of my favorite qualities in a scent (i.e. Le Labo Gaiac and Vanille, Mugler Cologne). I also loved the idea of “saffroned lemon” and that working with the dulcet tones of flowers and heightened with some subtle smoke! I just recently sampled most of this line and love Civet, think Bat takes CBIHP’s Black March accord a next level up, and am partial to Elephant. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    IDA IS GOING TO MAKE ME BROKE. GEEZ,I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE WAY SHE WRITES ABOUT A FRAGRANCE.
    I was excited for this release once it was revealed. Victor almost teases his releases before they are released into the wild. He waits till the point where I’m salivating and POOF…. Unveiled! The notes in MOTH sound so intriguing and I’ve been excited to eventually get my nose on it.
    This article just solidifies it as a must sniff for me. When Ida wrote:
    “As Icarus was driven too near the sun by his own desire, so may the moth find its demise seeking the alluring flame to which it is fatally attracted.”
    I was a fish dangling from a hook at that point. I’m ready enjoying Rhino by Zoologist. I live in the US. Thank you for the opportunity

  • The moth is drawn to the light and your description of Moth draws me to it and makes me think I would really like it. I own a few Zoologist fragrances and enjoy the ones I own. Thank you for the chance to win it in the draw.

  • Perfumelover67 says:

    Moth sounds fantastic, but the opening notes of saffroned lemon and spices are very interesting and worth to experience. My favorites from Zoologist are Panda and Elephant. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • Oh, this sounds like such a gorgeous fragrance. I saw Sebastian’s YT video review of it and I’ve been wanting it ever since. I’ve never tried anything from Zoologist. I’d love for this to be my first!
    I live in the US.

  • Nice review and well described. Haven’t tried a Zoologist perfume yet and this one sounds like a warm fragrance. Like to try it out.
    Thanks for the giveaway. California

  • George Lellis says:

    I like that Moth seems to be long-lasting and complex over time, but the review also makes it sound subtle. I live in the US. My favorite Zoologist perfume is Bat, not because I have tried it but because I gave it to someone as a gift and she absolutely loved it.

  • Amy Leonhardt says:

    The mysterious effect of the notes sounds enchanting. Would love to win. From what I have tried so far, I love Bat and Elephant. CALIFORNIA

  • NiceVULady says:

    I love Hummingbird. Ida’s reviews are always so lyrical and poetic. One feels as enveloped by her prose as one would feel enveloped by fragrance. Lovely review. Moth sounds like something I would definitely like. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA.

  • Jake smith says:

    I haven’t tried anything from zoologist but I really like the theme. Its really cool how they make them based around different animals and also that they use natural ingredients and dont use any animal products. The one I want to try most is beaver as I love vanilla. I would love to try any of the fragrances from this house I hear they are very artistic and extremely well made. I hope I get a chance to sample any offerings from this house in the future. I am in the U.S.

  • The description of the floral heart notes captured my interest. My favorite Zoologist perfumes are Hummingbird and Bat. I’d definitely would love to try Moth. I am in the U.S.

  • Catanosmia says:

    Nightingale is by far my favorite fragrance from Zoologist so I can’t wait to smell Moth. I hope there is more to come from Tomoo Inaba.
    I’m in the US and thank you for the draw!

  • Richard Potter says:

    This sounds like heaven. I am dying to try it. Thanks for the great review, Ida. USA.

  • Monica Beaton says:

    A delightful dance of sweet floral and spice on a smoky base – sounds intriguing and mysterious – dancing close to the flame. I would love to try this. I’ve only sniffed Panda and it was love!

  • omg. this one is spice galore. i’ve never smelled this house, but seen lots of great reviews about them. hope to get a chance and win this one. U.S.A.

  • I only tried Macaque from Zoologist, and that one is really good. The notes of Moth are sounds also good, and the base of the review it could be really interesting. I would very like to try it. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • doveskylark says:

    I love having sympathy for anything maligned. i like watching them always attracted to a source of light. I like that this fragrance might be inspired by the constant attraction. i haven’t tried anything from this line, but I have heard many good things about Beaver.
    I live in the USA.

  • Beautiful review, Ida. I had never thought about it but you/re right, there is a radiance that seems to emanate from his face, and that smile!

  • Great review! Love the imagery used. Not to say this is, but I love fragrances that smell like a New Age (Wiccan shop) we had one by where I live called Tower of Glass. It always smelled of books, herbs,incense and strange rich aromas. This paragraph reminds me of that “And it is benevolent – comprised of sacred woods, vetiver’s balsamic tranquility, the murmur of the ancient mint (patchouli), time-honored musk and a magician’s puff of sleight-of-hand smoke. As Icarus was driven too near the sun by his own desire, so may the moth find its demise seeking the alluring flame to which it is fatally attracted. I don’t perceive this as morbid, and it doesn’t smell of death; Moth echoes the seductive nature of the afterlife, that connection to the Eternal.” Great review thank you! I was waiting on Moth to be release before I pick up there discovery set. US

  • Lori Laws says:

    Wonderful review! While reading this all I could think of was “like a moth to a flame burned by the fire….that’s the way love goes.” With all of the notes in this fragrance I have to try it. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried anything by Zoologist and I believe Moth is the perfect introduction to this line. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • Very nice review!! I especially liked this part “Moth echoes the seductive nature of the afterlife, that connection to the Eternal’.
    Unfortunately, I haven’t tried anything by Zoologist, but have read or watched so many nice reviews especially in Cafleurebon or Sebastian Jara’s youtube chanel.
    From Armenia

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    Great Review
    I am dying to try it
    With all of the notes in this fragrance I have to try it, really appeals me the notes

  • Lillyhollowayblog says:

    I have a sample of Moth. Ida’s review gave it the beautiful voice it deserves. I live in the US.

  • Sérgio Teixeira says:

    Such a wonderful review and description. I imagine it being a complex spice mix of flowers and patchouli. Never tried any fragrance from the house. I live in Portugal

  • James2473 says:

    Great review Ida, and thanks for the draw. Moth sounds like true work of fragrance art, and I would love to give it a sniff! I’ve yet to try any of Zoologist’s offerings, but heard lots of good things. I’m located in the U.S.

  • The notes list doesn’t look like anything else I can think of. I’m intrigued. I also like how Victor smuggled the word “nagaMOTHa” (aka cypriol) into the list. LOL.

    My favourite Zoologist has to be Hummingbird, followed by Civet. Thanks for the chance!

    I live in EU.

  • I love so many of the Zoologist fragrances, Moth sounds great! I do love Civet and Hummingbird, Thanks for the try. I live in the US!

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    Love this line!! Macaque, Rhinoceros, Bat❤️❤️
    I own a full bottle of Civet❤️❤️! This line is absolutely incredible with all their releases!!
    Would love to win the draw!!
    This sounds so Goth! Great review

  • My favorite Zoologist perfumes are Civet, Hummingbird, and Nightingale. I’m very intrigued by Moth due to Ida’s review and my respect for Victor Wong’s collection. I am in the U.S.

  • Judy Czubati says:

    I think the “haunting” quality is tempting me to give Moth a try.
    Nightengale is a favorite but I LOVE BAT, too.